"A floating photovoltaic plant in the Cabril dam would affect biodiversity and water quality, irreversibly change the landscape, and cause serious socioeconomic damage, limiting nautical activities," the CIMBB said in a statement.

On July 3, the APA issued an unfavourable opinion on the floating solar plant project in the Cabril Reservoir, in the municipalities of Pedrógão Grande, Pampilhosa da Serra, and Sertã.

For the CIMBB, this project would have very negative impacts on the region's population, both environmentally and socioeconomically, "which is why the APA's position is to be welcomed."

They added that, given the importance of the Cabril Reservoir for supplying aerial resources for firefighting, it would be severely compromised by the installation of photovoltaic panels.

Furthermore, the CIMBB noted that the environmental impact study "had already acknowledged negative impacts on fauna, flora, water quality, and the landscape."

This project was the subject of opposition from the CIMBB during the public consultation period (which ran from March 7th to April 17th), and a joint opposition position was adopted by the Intermunicipal Communities of the Coimbra Region and the Leiria Region on April 14th.

Following the APA's statement, the CIMBB promised to remain vigilant regarding the situation and stated its hope that, in the best interests of the region's population, the project will be completely cancelled, along with the corresponding legal consequences for the concessionaire and policymakers involved.

The plant, a project by Voltalia, which won the floating solar auction for Cabril, was planned for the municipalities of Pedrógão Grande (Leiria district), Pampilhosa da Serra (Coimbra), and Sertã (Castelo Branco).

With the two associated overhead power lines (one 3.44 kilometres long and the other 21.21 kilometres long), the project also reached the municipalities of Castanheira de Pera and Figueiró dos Vinhos (Leiria), and Penela (Coimbra).

CIMBB is a territorial association that aims to fulfil the common interests of its member municipalities, particularly by promoting social, economic, and cultural development, which reinforces the territorial identity and the sense of belonging of its community.

Its geographic scope encompasses the municipalities of Castelo Branco, Idanha-a-Nova, Oleiros, Penamacor, Proença-a-Nova, Sertã, Vila de Rei, and Vila Velha de Ródão.